Effect of Epilepsy and Antiepileptic Drug Therapy on Gastric Motility and Emptying With Point-Of-Care Gastric Ultrasound

Sponsor
London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's
Study ID
NCT07421661
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Gastric Ultrasound — PROCEDURE
    Patients who provide consent to participate will have one gastric ultrasound performed in the preoperative preparation area. Each ultrasound will will be done in both the supine position and right lateral decubitus (RLD) position. Ultrasound gel will be applied to the patient's abdomen and the ultrasound probe will be placed on the abdomen midline just below the sternum using a curvilinear probe (usually 2-5 MHz). The following imaging and assessment will be performed: Gastric cross-sectional area: It will be assessed both in supine and Right Lateral Decubitus position as a full stomach (presence of solids or thick liquids) can be confirmed in the supine position but accuracy is significantly higher in RLD. Peristalsis: Frequency of contractions will be noted over a full 3-minute period.

Study Details

People with epilepsy often need surgery, but it is not fully known whether their stomachs empty food and liquids at the same rate as people without epilepsy. Some seizure medications, special diets, and nerve changes related to epilepsy may slow digestion, which could increase the risk of stomach contents entering the lungs during anesthesia. The purpose of this study is to find out whether people with epilepsy still have food or liquid in their stomachs before surgery, even after following standard fasting rules. To do this, researchers will use a simple bedside ultrasound scan of the stomach before surgery. The scan takes only a few minutes and does not involve needles, radiation, or pain and will determine what food and/or liquid may be present in the stomach before surgery. About 30 adults with epilepsy scheduled for surgery will take part in this study. The results of this study may help to inform whether or not the surgical fasting guidelines for epilepsy patients need to be modified. This is a prospective, observational study that will take place at University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre.

Key Dates

First listed
Feb 19, 2026
Start date
Apr 1, 2026
Status verified
Feb 2026
Primary completion
Apr 1, 2028
Completion
Apr 30, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
30 participants (estimated)

Arms

  • Arm: Gastric Ultrasound
    Patients who provide consent to participate will have one gastric ultrasound performed in the preoperative preparation area. Each ultrasound will will be done in both the supine position and right lateral decubitus (RLD) position. Ultrasound gel will be applied to the patient's abdomen and the ultrasound probe will be placed on the abdomen midline just below the sternum using a curvilinear probe (usually 2-5 MHz). The following imaging and assessment will be performed: 1. Gastric cross-sectional area: It will be assessed both in supine and Right Lateral Decubitus position as a full stomach (presence of solids or thick liquids) can be confirmed in the supine position but accuracy is significantly higher in RLD. 2. Peristalsis: Frequency of contractions will be noted over a full 3-minute period.

Primary Outcome Measure

Impact of epilepsy on gastric emptying after following pre-surgical fasting guidelines. [ Time Frame: 2-4 hours prior to surgical start time. ]

Central Contacts

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